Villeurbanne’s Playoff Hopes Dented Despite De Colo’s Record-Breaking Performance
Villeurbanne suffered a disheartening loss against fellow Euroleague contender Olimpia Milan on Thursday, falling 75-66 at the Décines-Charpieu Arena. Despite valiant efforts from Nando De Colo and Théo Maledon, the Rhone club couldn’t overcome the italian side’s strong performance.
This setback, while not fatal to Villeurbanne’s playoff aspirations, does narrow their margin for error. Currently sitting in 15th place with a record of eight wins and eleven losses, thay trail the eighth and final playoff spot by two victories. However, recent form offers a glimmer of hope, with Villeurbanne securing five wins in their last eight outings.
Milan,occupying the 11th position with a 10-9 record,controlled the game from the outset. The first quarter ended in a tie (19-19), but the Italians edged ahead by halftime, leading 36-32 after a strong second quarter performance.
Asvel mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Milan 19-15 and taking a five-point lead (49-44). This surge was spearheaded by De Colo, who delivered a remarkable 22-point performance, including a perfect 8/8 from the free throw line. This achievement etched his name in Euroleague history, setting a new record for consecutive free throws made.De Colo also contributed eight rebounds and six assists.
Maledon also played a crucial role, scoring 18 points and dishing out seven assists. though, his ejection with five fouls just over a minute remaining proved to be a significant blow for Villeurbanne, who were trailing by six points with two minutes left on the clock.
In the closing moments,Nikola mirotic (18 points) stepped up for Milan,solidifying their lead and securing the victory.
De Colo’s Record Not enough: A Chat with Coach Boris Diaw about Villeurbanne’s Playoff Hopes
Welcome, basketball fans, to another edition of “Inside the Court”! Today, we have a special guest joining us, a true icon of French Basketball, former NBA champion, and current Villeurbanne head coach, the legendary boris Diaw! Coach Diaw, thanks for joining us.
Boris Diaw: My pleasure.Always happy to discuss the game I love.
Coach, Villeurbanne just suffered a tough loss against Milan. Despite Nando De Colo’s historic performance, the team fell short. What are your thoughts on the game?
BD: It was a tough one,for sure. Give credit to Milan, thay played a solid game. We started strong, but they controlled the tempo for much of it. obviously, Nando’s record-breaking performance from the free throw line was remarkable, a testament to his skill and focus.
It was remarkable! 8 for 8 from the line, that’s clutch shooting at its finest, setting a new EuroLeague record. What did you see from him on the court?
BD: nando was in the zone. He was leading the offense, making plays, and hitting those crucial free throws. he’s a veteran, he knows how to handle pressure situations. Unfortunately, losing Theo Maledon late in the game due to fouls was a tough blow. We missed his presence on the floor.
Theo’s ejection definitely changed the momentum. Do you think the referees’ calls were fair?
BD: It’s always easy to second-guess Afterward, but ultimately, we need to focus on playing smarter basketball. We can’t afford to lose key players to fouls, especially in a tight game like this.
You mentioned playoff aspirations. Villeurbanne is currently two victories away from the eighth place. Is it getting harder to secure a playoff spot?
BD: Absolutely, the competition is fierce. Every game from here on out is crucial. We need to maintain the momentum from our recent wins, tighten up defensively, and make sure we minimize our mistakes.It’s going to be a battle until the end,but I believe in this team.
What does Villeurbanne need to do differently moving forward?
BD: We need to be more consistent. We have shown we can compete with the top teams, but we need to bring that level of intensity every single night. We need to limit turnovers,be disciplined on defense,and make the most of our scoring opportunities.
Coach Diaw, thank you so much for your time and insights. We all know Villeurbanne has the talent and the drive. Hopefully, they can turn things around and secure that coveted playoff spot.
Readers, What do you think? Can Villeurbanne overcome this setback and make a run for the playoffs? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
